The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Akram bats for Zaheer, Balaji

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Wednesday, Oct 11, 2006
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Akram bats for Zaheer, Balaji

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: Wasim Akram has strongly advocated the inclusion of Zaheer Khan and L. Balaji in the team. Akram, in the city on a promotional tour, questioned the wisdom of keeping the two bowlers out of the Indian team for the ongoing Champions Trophy.

Terming India's bowling a weak spot, Akram felt the two experienced bowlers should have been in the team especially when Irfan Pathan was not in the best of form. He also slammed the Indian team's experimentations with its batting order.

"I fail to understand why so much experimentation is going on when India needs to have a set team before important tournaments," said Akram.

He also came out in support of Pathan saying, "he is a good player and will come out of the bad patch. What he needs is support from his team which will enable him to get back the confidence.''

Bowling coach

When asked whether he would take up the role of the Indian team's bowling coach, Akram said he would only be too happy to take on the mantle.

On the ongoing turmoil in Pakistan cricket, Akram said, "these things keep happening in Pakistan and there is nothing to read too much into it.''

He did not like the way Younis Khan first refused to accept the captaincy and later did a volte-face and accepted captaincy. "This way he will lose respect among his teammates,'' he pointed out.

Akram said the Pakistani team for the Champions Trophy had some minus points. "But the one major plus point the team has is that it is young and energetic. This team should do well.''

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